RADIO
With injuries and middling performances ravaging fantasy teams to start the season, it's okay to consider benching players who were relatively highly drafted (top-100) for this week and moving forward.
This may be hard to stomach as you bench your QB1 or RB1 for a free-agent acquisition, but sometimes such measures must be taken to ensure victory in the heart of the fantasy football season.
Here is a look at some fantasy football players who have shown warning signals recently, and you should think twice about putting them in your lineup in Week 9. Will they bounce back, or continue to underperform? For any and all issues or concerns, contact @RotoSurgeon on Twitter.
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Quarterback Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 9?
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Rams
While Tom Brady is better than the slander he's received this season, the Rams' defense is very good while the offense is quite mediocre. There is not as much shootout or catch-up upside for Brady, making this week less tantalizing than it would typically be versus the Rams.
Brady is merely QB19 in points per game and not a must-start weekly. He could absolutely turn back time any given week, especially with WR1-b Chris Godwin getting healthier, but that is not likely to occur in Week 9.
What To Do
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars vs Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs and rank 31st against the pass. Lawrence may only be QB16 in points per game thus far but he has a solid set of weaponry and a run game that is much improved since James Robinson's departure. The Jaguars are far from a great offense but their weekly potential is high.
Las Vegas is also coming off of a miserable week and likely locked in with a fully healthy Davante Adams heading to play a 20th-ranked Jaguars defense in Jacksonville. This game has sneaky shootout potential despite being played in the early east coast window.
Running Back Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 9?
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears vs Miami Dolphins
David Montgomery is not only getting outproduced by "RB2" Khalil Herbert, but he just fumbled in Week 8. The Dolphins also have faired much better against the rush (9th) than pass (29th) and just added Bradley Chubb. Montgomery is a mediocre fantasy RB weekly but this week he especially has limited value and should only be started if BYE weeks are demolishing your roster.
What To Do
Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders vs Minnesota Vikings
With J.D. McKissic ruled out for Week 9, Gibson takes over as the full-time passing down back in an offense that is throwing to the backfield much more often than it did while Carson Wentz was under center. Taylor Heinecke takes what defenses give him rather than forcing the ball downfield and that has resulted in Gibson seeing the second-most targets of this season in Week 8.
There is no question that Gibson is the most explosive RB for Washington but they continue to force Brian Robinson out there due to his punishing style that does not gain as much per play. Any given week, Gibson could lead the backfield in touches by a wide margin going forward and in Week 9 he faces a Vikings defense that ranks 21st overall.
Wide Receiver Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 9?
Michael Pittman Jr, Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots
Michael Pittman Jr. takes a significant hit with Sam Ehlinger under center. This past week against the 28th-ranked Washington pass defense was not so bad as Pittman Jr. finished with 7 catches for 53 yards on 9 targets but the Patriots' 5th-ranked pass defense will not be as kind. Pittman Jr. will likely be removed from the game as Belichick typically does with number-one options to force a first-year QB like Ehlinger to work with his lesser receiving options.
What To Do
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals vs Seattle Seahawks
Rondale Moore is a beneficiary of Marquise Brown's absence as the offense did not completely shut him out after DeAndre Hopkins' return. Moore is a talented receiver but limited due to his stature and lack of playtime since his freshman year of college. Injuries have kept Moore sidelined for significant portions of the past four years but these recent weeks have displayed the upside he was drafted for in the second round of last year's draft.
Moore tied his season-high in receptions this past week and set a season-high in yards while adding a TD as well. He is a rock-solid play at home against Seattle.
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